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Nasmyth Bulwell secures £60m Rolls-Royce engineering contract

Midlands-based precision engineering company Nasmyth Metallics Bulwell has secured contracts worth more than £60 million from global engine maker Rolls-Royce.

The new contracts, which create and secure jobs at the company’s Pinxton plant, enter Nasmyth Bulwell into long-term agreements for legacy and new complex components. These are destined for engines that include the Rolls-Royce XWB and Trent 1000 which are fitted to Airbus and Boeing’s new wide body airlines. Established in 1956, Nasmyth Bulwell has been supplying Rolls-Royce for almost 50 years.

Peter Smith,chairman and CEO of Nasmyth Group Ltd commented: “We believe the new contracts are a huge vote of confidence in Nasmyth’s complex capabilities as solutions providers. We are continuing to invest heavily in the latest manufacturing technology and in the skills of our growing 260 strong workforce to ensure we remain competitive in the global aerospace, defence and nuclear markets.”

Nasmyth Bulwell’s success follows its work with Sharing in Growth (SiG), the government-backed programme to raise the productivity and competitiveness of the UK aerospace supply chain. Having ambitious growth plans, Nasmyth Bulwell joined the programme in 2014 and has since increased its turnover from £24 to around £30 million and hired 20 skilled engineers, operators and apprentices. It is currently recruiting further skilled engineers.

Craig Smith, Supply Chain Head of Product Introduction at Rolls-Royce PLC added: “We are delighted to continue our long relationship with Nasmyth Bulwell and, as a major sponsor of Sharing in Growth, we whole-heartedly support the drive to improve the competitiveness of the UK aerospace supply chain.”

Nasmyth Bulwell is also celebrating receiving a Business Leaders Award from global multinational defence, security and aerospace customer BAE Systems. The award recognised work done by Bulwell with BAE Systems to machine a fuel pipe that had been traditionally difficult to manufacture by casting.

“Bulwell actively supported the supply chain problem and worked closely with a BAE Systems cross functional team to machine a fully tested alternative to the casting,” said Steve Vandersteen, MAI airframe supply chain director. “Bulwell’s ‘can-do’ attitude led to a cost reduction in the manufacture of the fuel pipe and more importantly helped to protect the aircraft production schedule.”

Simon Beech, COO of Nasmyth Group Ltd said: “Sharing in Growth has been an integral part of our business, helping to support our growth and develop our teams. We now plan to sustain our growth based on delivering operational performance and efficiency in long-term customer relationships.”

Working with SiG’s cross-functional experts, Nasmyth Bulwell has developed its strategy and business planning, rolling out visual management and key performance indicators to engage employees. Staff development has included leadership training and 36 people are undertaking NVQs in Business Improvement Techniques. Sharing in Growth has also supported Nasmyth Bulwell to project manage its major capital investments.

Nasmyth Bulwell is spending £2.2 million on installing state-of-the-art equipment that includes both 4 and 5-axis milling machines complimented by two turning centres. “The investments underpin the current expansion plans of the business and enhance the technical capabilities of Nasmyth Bulwell”, said Eddie Jones, Director of Nasmyth Metallics Bulwell and Arden.

SiG’s CEO Andy Page concluded: “Nasmyth Bulwell’s investment in people and technology is paying off and its growth plans are being realised. Our aim is to support the UK aerospace supply chain to reduce costs and become more productive so that they can secure contracts and jobs in the highly competitive global market. SiG is already helping more than 50 companies achieve their aim of an average 50% increase in productivity and is targeting an average 20% cost reduction.”

Established in 2013, SiG has endorsement from Boeing, Airbus, BAE Systems, Bombardier, GKN and Rolls-Royce. With £80 million support from the Regional Growth Fund, SiG has already helped secure contracts worth just over £2 billion for the first 43 firms on the programme, equivalent to around 3000 UK jobs. Ultimately the programme’s goal is to safeguard 10,000 UK jobs.